Ups and Downs

So much help goes into an adoption.  I've talked a lot about many of our friends and family, other adoptive families, and workers in America.  Today, though, I'm thinking about the men and women in Latvia who make this possible.  Not just possible, but most of them make it a celebration.  They love what they do and they give all they can to these children before, during, and sometimes after families are brought together.

Daina probably won't like this, but I think it shows you how joyful she is!  She is the very efficient but humorous and caring lawyer who steers us through everything from what taxi to use to where to get visa photos taken to getting our passports back after we forget them at the court building :( oops.  Gatis is her son and the driver for all of the official stuff.  Quiet, but reliable and very willing to chat with an energetic teen boy who is totally into the car and the radio stations and the sunroof and .......

*Dace - the translator - kind, funny, and goes out of her way to make us comfortable and understood
*Baiba - social worker with a LOT on her hands
*Dace - another social worker - shoots straight and I like that!
*a gazillion court workers who ask questions, read documents, and make decisions in the best interest of the child
*Doctors/Psychiatrist - review files; check immunizations and health records
*Embassy officials - interview and prepare visa
*Inese - foster mom who finds wonderful, reasonably priced apartments for adopting families
*Agnes - landlord who sends the TV guy to switch our channels to mostly English
*Jaycee - picks up from airport and joins us for a meal to talk about helping the kids here; makes the loudest pteryodactyl type of noise I've ever heard that will be a fond memory for V forever ;)
*Brumels family and Gilmore family - kept us company and guided us around the city
*Ilze - caregiver at one of V's orphanages who welcomed us and was clearly happy to see him again
*Director of the orphanage - willing to let us come to say goodbye to friends
*New Horizons staff - interviewed kids and chose V for hosting way back last year

I'm sure that I've forgotten some, as well as knowing that many are behind the scenes working hard for these kids.  I have been frustrated many, many times through the requirements and waiting of this process.  But when there are names and faces, as well as hugs and smiles to go with them - those feelings fade.  Thankfulness for all they've done replaces it quickly.  We have been surrounded with wonderful, giving people here. Some will really be missed, even after a short time with them.  Looking forward to seeing them at trip two already, and we haven't even left yet!


Have to mention too though that there is a really unpleasant, but necessary element in this time.  I'll keep details private but just say that no child arrives at this point with an easy past.  Their files and the memories in them are not forgotten.  Sometimes they are a part of what is handled during this time, but mostly they will just be addressed as needed as they surface.  This time, though, the child has the love and support of a family to help him through it - no small thanks to the many mentioned above.

On the plane home in about 36 hours!
Love from Latvia,
Sue and 2 of my 5 guys